Graphical Guides
Contents
About
What started during COVID as a collection of silly graphical “scales” slowly evolved into something else.
While my original scales were designed to make people laugh, think, and occasionally argue with their friends about whether they were a 4 or an 8, I found myself increasingly creating visual tools that helped people communicate needs, preferences, and emotions.
These are my ‘’‘Graphical Guides’’’.
Unlike a scale, which attempts to measure where someone falls on a spectrum, a guide helps people navigate a conversation, make a choice, or communicate what they need in a fun and approachable way.
Many of these guides were inspired by years spent in conscious communities, ecstatic dance events, festivals, relationships, and countless fascinating conversations with humans trying their best to understand each other.
So far there are only a couple, but I suspect more are coming.
Child Pages
Related/Child Pages:
- Guide to Being Upset
- A communication tool to help people identify what they are feeling and whether they most need to be ‘’‘heard’’’, ‘’‘held’’’, or ‘’‘helped’’’. Created for festival support spaces, but useful in friendships, relationships, families, and workplaces.
- Massage Menu Guide’’’
- A playful menu allowing someone to customize their ideal massage experience, from conversation level and music to pressure, focus areas, oil preferences, and whether blanket burrito mode is required.
Guides
Why I Like Guides
One thing I’ve learned is that many misunderstandings happen because people assume rather than ask.
Someone wants comfort and receives advice.
Someone wants advice and receives sympathy.
Someone wants a deep tissue massage and receives gentle relaxation music and whale noises.
A good guide helps people communicate their preferences before confusion begins.
They’re simple, visual, playful, and often much more effective than a long conversation.
Future Guide Ideas
Maybe one day I’ll get around to:
- ‘’‘Festival Companion Guide’’’
- How much socializing, dancing, adventuring, or alone time are you in the mood for?
- ‘’‘Receiving Feedback Guide’’’
- Do you want honesty, gentleness, encouragement, directness, or all of the above?
- ‘’‘Conflict Resolution Guide’’’
- What would help you feel safe, heard, and understood during a disagreement?
- ‘’‘Housemate Expectations Guide’’’
- Cleanliness, noise, guests, dishes, and all the other exciting things humans accidentally fight about.
- ‘’‘Cuddle Menu Guide’’’
- Similar to the massage guide, but for non-sexual physical affection and comfort.
Contact Me
If you enjoy these guides, have suggestions for new ones, or have an idea you’d love to see turned into a visual communication tool, feel free to contact me at 
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